Right, for those missing something.
My PC is connected to my stereo, and from my PC I play my MP3's using a jukebox programme, the now departed musicmatch - still works OK, just no newer versions now. That said, I can also play them in media player and other players.
I foolishly installed an apple update once, which installed Itunes along with the video player. Trouble was, the itunes part took over my MP3 collection entirely, did something to the files, and as a result would not play using my juke box or any other of my usual ways. Why I don't know. Fine if I only listened on an ipod, but I didn't, so it had to be uninstalled again.
Just my personal choice - I will not have any programme that "hijacks" my choices, and this did.
By the way, the suggestion about the ehd was the first one made - I suggest the answers are read as well as the question.